![]() |
| Português | Español | Deutsch | More |
| “My mother died from your cancer. You killed my mother.” His voice didn’t waver as he fought back bitter tears standing face-to-face with Chevron CEO John Watson, somehow all the while maintaining a tenacity and grace rarely seen.
Meet Servio Curipoma, a cacao farmer from the oil-ravaged town of San Carlos, Ecuador. I’ll never forget when I met him. From the banks of a slickened black pit on his property that skirts the thick jungle, he humbly shared with me his story. Or perhaps you’ve been with us for a while and remember one of multiple occasions when Servio bravely traveled north to the US, bringing us to the edge of our seats with his deeply personal story of how Chevron devastated his rainforest homelands and caused a public health crisis that continues today. Servio lost both his parents and a sister to cancer, which doctors have attributed to drinking water contaminated by toxic crude waste. Rather than wallow in anger, he has risen to become a relentless voice for his community, demanding that Chevron take responsibility for the contamination that wreaked havoc on his family. Servio’s story – and the stories of the 30,000 other people affected by Chevron’s atrocities – literally stopped me short while living in Ecuador and on a different life-trajectory. It’s why I do this work, and very real stories like this from across the Amazon basin are why Amazon Watch exists. Servio shines among the people Amazon Watch joins forces with daily – some of the most dignified and wise beings I’ve ever met – and he’s just one of the many courageous warriors fighting for what most of us take for granted every day: clean water and the health of our families. Over coming weeks we’ll bring you in-depth features of some of our most committed champions – we hope you’ll take the time to get to know them too. It’s just one way that you can glimpse a little deeper the lives of true heroes fighting for the rainforest, the reality of what’s happening in the Amazon, and how Amazon Watch is working to make a real difference with your support. For the Amazon,
|
All posts by Nativegrl77
FDA Alerts & Recalls
The Perrigo Company announced that it has initiated a voluntary, nationwide product recall to the retail level of 18 batches of its acetaminophen infant suspension liquid, 160 mg/5 mL, sold in 2 oz. and 4 oz. bottles with syringes in a box under store brand products including Babies R Us, Care One and more (refer to the Firm Press Release for full list of affected brand names and products).
Updated information Maryland Firm Recalls Broccoli Salad Kits for Possible Listeria Contamination (Oct 25, 2013) / Maryland and Texas Firms Recall Broccoli Salad Products with Dressing for Possible Listeria Contamination (Oct 29, 2013).
the Senate ~~ Are CONGRESS members worth $175K :: Are they working for the People ~~ the House
11/1/2013
The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, November 4, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act. During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.815.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following:
– Executive Calendar #328, the nomination of Gregory Howard Woods, of NY, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and
– Executive Calendar #329, the nomination of Debra M. Brown, of MS, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi.
There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form prior to up to 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations. Immediately following disposition of the Brown nomination, there will be up to 2 minutes of debate prior to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.815.
Therefore, there will be up to 3 roll call votes at 5:30pm on Monday:
– Confirmation of the Woods nomination,
– Confirmation of the Brown nomination and
– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.815, ENDA.
It is possible one of the nominations will be confirmed by voice vote.
===================================================================================
Last Floor Action: 10/30
5:11:55 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00
a.m. on November 12, 2013,
unless the House receives a message from the Senate
transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 62, in which case the House shall
stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.
the Senate ~~ Congress 10/31 ~~ the House
The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The time until 12:00noon will be equally divided and controlled in the usual form.
At noon, Senator-elect Cory Booker of New Jersey will be sworn in.
Following the swearing in, there will be two minutes of debate equally divided and controlled prior to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Watt nomination. If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 8 hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Watt nomination. If cloture is not invoked, there will be a second roll call vote immediately on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, Patricia Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. If cloture is invoked on the Millet nomination, there will be up to 30 hours of debate on the nomination prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.
Therefore, Senators should expect up to 2 roll call votes at approximately 12:10pm:
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency
– And if cloture is not invoked on the Watt nomination, motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, Patricia Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.
At 12:00 noon, Senator elect Booker will be sworn in as senator from New Jersey. Following the swearing in, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed immediately to a cloture vote on Executive Calendar #327, Patricia Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.
12:07pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency;
Not Invoked: 56-42
Senator Reid changed his vote to no (for procedural reasons) and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time.
12:38pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, Patricia Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;
Not Invoked: 55-38 (3 voted present)
This will be the last vote of the day.
The Senate stands in recess until 2:00pm
At 2:00pm the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only until 6:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Today Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.815, a bill to prohibit the employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and filed cloture on the motion. By consent, the cloture vote will occur following Executive Session on Monday.
At 5:00pm on Monday, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nomination:
– Executive Calendar #328, the nomination of Gregory Howard Woods, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; and
– Executive Calendar #329, the nomination of Debra M. Brown, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi.
There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. If all time is used, at approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Woods and Brown nominations.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency; Not invoked: 56-42
2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, Patricia Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not invoked: 55-38-3 (present)
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Requested a conference with the House on H.R.3080, Water Resources Reform and Development Act and authorized the chair to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate with a ratio of 5-3.
H.R.2094, To amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the preference given, in awarding certain asthma-related grants, to certain States (those allowing trained school personnel to administer epinephrine and meeting other related requirements).
Discharged the Veterans’ Affairs committee and passed H.R.3302, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Bay Pines, Florida, as “C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”.
Adopted S.Res.282,a resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Adopted S.Res.283, to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.
Additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed Executive Calendar #357 Marcel J. Lettre II, of Maryland, to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
=========================================================================
House Floor Activities Legislative Day of October 30, 2013
Last Floor Action:
5:11:55 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00
a.m. on November 1, 2013, unless the House receives a message from the Senate
transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 62, in which case the House shall
stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.
| 10:00:21 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 10:00:27 A.M. | The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Cramer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. | |
| 10:00:51 A.M. | MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business. | |
| 10:54:15 A.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today. | |
| 12:00:19 P.M. | The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 30. | |
| 12:00:23 P.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 12:01:39 P.M. | The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. | |
| 12:01:41 P.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Lankford to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 12:01:58 P.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle. | |
| 12:39:00 P.M. | House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to section 4(b) of House Resolution 5, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Roskam, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Wilson of SC, Mrs. Brooks of IN, Mr. Latham, Mrs. Black and Mr. Ribble. | |
| 12:39:15 P.M. | Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 3003, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Mr. Pitts, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Gingrey of GA and Mr. Burgess. | |
| 12:40:06 P.M. | H.R. 992 | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 391. H.R. 992 — “To amend provisions in section 716 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to Federal assistance for swaps entities.” |
| 12:40:36 P.M. | H.R. 992 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 992. |
| 1:48:52 P.M. | H.R. 992 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 1:49:21 P.M. | H.R. 992 | Ms. Brownley (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services. |
| 1:49:36 P.M. | H.R. 992 | Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brownley motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit any restriction on the ability of financial regulators to ensure that financial institutions comply with laws prohibiting the manipulation of commodity markets, especially with regard to speculation in oil and biofuel contracts. |
| 1:56:18 P.M. | H.R. 992 | The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. |
| 2:21:02 P.M. | H.R. 992 | On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 190 – 223 (Roll no. 568). |
| 2:28:48 P.M. | H.R. 992 | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 292 – 122 (Roll no. 569). |
| 2:28:49 P.M. | H.R. 992 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:28:57 P.M. | UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on passage of H.J. Res. 99, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. | |
| 2:29:10 P.M. | H.J. Res. 99 | Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 99 — “Relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise of authority to suspend the debt limit, as submitted under section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013.” |
| 2:37:56 P.M. | H.J. Res. 99 | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 191, 2 Present (Roll no. 570). |
| 2:37:57 P.M. | H.J. Res. 99 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:37:57 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 62 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 62 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives.” |
| 2:38:18 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 62 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:39:22 P.M. | H. Con. Res. 62 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2:39:46 P.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. | |
| 2:57:33 P.M. | SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. | |
| 5:08:44 P.M. | The House received a communication from Karen Czernel, District Director for the Honorable Candice S. Miller. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Czernel notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for testimony in a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House. | |
| 5:09:22 P.M. | The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to Sudan – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-70). | |
| 5:11:14 P.M. | Mr. Gohmert asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 62, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 5:11:39 P.M. | Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn. | |
| 5:11:54 P.M. | On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. | |
| 5:11:55 P.M. | The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 1, 2013, unless the House receives a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 62, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. |
SeaTac business owners say they may leave if Prop. 1 passes ~~ the other Washington

Chip in $5 today and help us fight for a living wage
This summer, fast food workers across the country demanded higher wages. This fall, a small city in South King County is in the national spotlight in the battle for a living wage. 1
SeaTac Proposition 1, the Good Jobs Initiative, deals with fair labor practices and the minimum wage. It will raise the minimum wage for more than 6,000 transportation and hospitality workers and give them common sense benefits, like paid sick leave.
Dozens of Democratic officeholders have endorsed SeaTac Proposition 1, including Rep. Adam Smith, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Speaker Frank Chopp. 2
Providing a living wage shouldn’t be such a radical idea. The problem is… we haven’t kept our bargain with wage earners.
Earlier this year Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) shared this information during a Labor and Pensions hearing:
“If we started in 1960 and we said that as productivity goes up, that is as workers are producing more, then the minimum wage is going to go up the same. And if that were the case then the minimum wage today would be about $22 an hour.” – Senator Elizabeth Warren
Large corporations located in the SeaTac area are fighting tooth and nail to defeat Proposition 1. If Democratic voters in the area turn out, we will succeed in requiring corporations to pay a fair, equitable living wage.
Many thanks,
Dwight Pelz Washington State Democrats Chair
1 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/14/us/in-washington-state-home-of-highest-minimum-wage-a-city-aims-higher.html?_r=0 2 http://yesforseatac.com/twenty-leading-democrats-endorse-seatac-proposition-1/






You must be logged in to post a comment.